Dead World Zombie - #71, 7.5 out of 12

Dead World is a zombie comic in which the zombies, led by King Zombie, have largely taken over the world. Caprice Brands LLC markets and sells sodas centered around characters in the comics. Two of these flavors are root beer and vanilla root beer. I reviewed the vanilla root beer and rated it 6 out of 12.

The “regular” root beer is named Twilight Shuffler.  There is a musclebound, heavily Tattooed, half-human and half-zombie on the bottle.  Supposedly, she can move from one dead body to another. Seems odd to me.

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, caramel color, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid and Natural Flavor.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

144 Calories

27 mg Sodium.

38 g (11%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is heavy caramel. The first drink was a strong vanilla caramel mix. The first sip was a little sweet, despite the sugar level being on the lower end of the 70 brews reviewed at 3.2 g per ounce. The lowest reviewed was 2.2 per ounce and 6.6 g per ounce. The carbonation is medium. Overall, it is very smooth and creamy. The more I consumed, the more I liked it. There is an aftertaste I can’t place. Could it be a slight wintergreen?

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head is very frothy (tiny) bubbles and dissipates at an average pace.  Takes about 30 seconds to fully dissipate.

Zip – 2 out of 3 mugs

This is a very good, creamy variety of flavors. The zip is more than I prefer. There is a definite vanilla, caramel, and wintergreen mix. These flavors take over the beverage, and I do not get the impression I am enjoying a root beer.

Post Consumption Impression – 2 out of 3 mugs

I would really enjoy this beverage over ice. The ice would reduce the sweetness and give it a better taste.

Would I recommend this at 7.5 out of 12 mugs?

You may want something else if you want that deep, vigorous root beer flavor in a beverage. However, if you want a solid beverage over ice, try it. However, directly from the bottle, it has a little more flavor and sweetness than I prefer.

OTHER RATINGS

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 4 of 5 barrels

Brad’s Brew Review – 9 out of 10

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 85 out of 100

Gale’s - #70, 5.75 out of 12

Made by Chef Gale Gand, that’s what the bottle reads.  She is an acclaimed pastry chef, author, restaurateur, television personality, root beer maker, and mom.  She professes, “I can’t live without root beer.”

Her craft soda testing started years ago in England, where root beer was scarce.  She would get her root beer from McDonalds by sending others to the restaurant, as she and her staff could not be seen there.

Gale had a dog named Rootie, a Terrier. When she arrived in America, she made her own root beer containing cold-pressed Nielsen-Massey Vanilla. About 50,000 bottles of Gale’s Root Beer are produced every year. Rootie, and I assume a younger Gale, appears on the label.

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beer tested.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, natural and artificial flavors, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, and Sodium Benzoate.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

40 mg Sodium.

41 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

I was intrigued when I read “Cinnamon, Ginger, and Vanilla” on the bottle. It's a unique mix. Upon opening, there was a mild hint of cinnamon in the bottle. The vanilla was noted, yet the cinnamon-ginger infusion was with vanilla and cane sugar. My first sip was rather a letdown. I was not a fan of the cinnamon. It was a little hard to swallow. It also had a slight rancid taste.

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Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

A very fizzy, small head that was fast dissipating.  A small ring remained long after the head disappeared. 

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

This brew is complex—a little too complex for my preference. The variety of flavors is an interesting blend. At no time did any one flavor dominate.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

This is not the brew for me.  While I have reviewed many that score significantly lower scoring than Gale’s, there are also many I would suggest before Gale’s.

 

Would I recommend this at 5.75 out of 12 mugs?

This is more like a solid soda without a real identity than a root beer.

OTHER RATINGS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 6 out of 10

Root Beer Reviews – A

Rob’s Root Beer Reviews – 6 of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 2.5 of 5 barrels

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 7 out of 10

Thirsty Dudes - 4 out of 5

Five Star Soda – 3 of 5 stars

Derek Janiak –  4.6 out of 10 

Hippo Size #69 - 9.2 out of 12

Hippo Size brand soda was originally created in 1927 by Alamo Bottling Works of San Antonio, TX.  There are many stories about the history of Alamo Bottling works.  Two articles from the San Antonio Newspaper have some background.  One headline was ”Soda bottle held lots, cost only a nickel” and a second named “Family business behind Hippo sodas”.  Yet the bottle reads, “Bottled by and under the authority of Orca Beverage Soda Works.”

Orca bottles many vintage brands, including Americana, Earp’s, Dad’s, Spiffie, Brownie, Bulldog, Red Arrow, Sioux City, O-So, Anchor, and Frostie.  A few of these I have reviewed or waiting for a review.  I have linked those already reviewed.

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, extract of wintergreen and sodium benzoate.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

65 mg Sodium.

43 g (9%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.6 out of 3 mugs

At the first opening, a wonderful aroma increases the anticipation. I was not disappointed in the first drink. While it was not the greatest, the higher carbonation and definite wintergreen tended to overtake the outstanding creamy and soothing flavor mix.

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Head –1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head was very small, and within 15 seconds, there was minimal indication of any head.

Zip – 2.7 out of 3 mugs

I really like the blend of flavors. The carbonation provides an added sensation but is not overpowering. The wintergreen is noted, although there is a subtle touch of vanilla.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.4 out of 3 mugs

I like Hippo root beer, although it is higher in sodium and sugar, which makes food (or beverages) more addictive. Therefore, I scored this 2.4 as opposed to the original 2.7.

Would I recommend this at 9.2 out of 12 mugs?

I suggest you try the beverage unless Wintergreen is not to your liking.

OTHER RATINGS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 8 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 2 of 5 barrels

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 9 out of 10

Steve’s Roof Beer – 10 out of 10

Root Beer Respect – 8 of 10

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 82 out of 100